10 killed in Taliban's assault near Loya Jirga venue

KABUL (PAN): At least 10 people were killed and several others wounded when powerful explosion rocked the Polytechnic area of the central capital Kabul on Saturday afternoon, officials said, fearing heavy casualties.

The incident took place at 3.15pm close to the area where the consultative Loya Jirga on a security pact with the US is due to take place this week.

Police Academy and Education University are also situated in the area. Stanickzai said at least 10 people were killed and five others have suffered injuries.

But Siddique Siddiqui the Interior Ministry spokesman at the site of the explosion confirms the dead of six people including two security forces and the injury of 22 other people a majority of them civilians.

He said the exploded car was being tracked by the security forces, but blew up when arrived near a police checkpoint in the area.

Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi says one security personnel have been killed, three wounded and a military vehicle also destroyed. At least 15 destroyed vehicles are seen at the scene of explosion, eyewitnesses say.

The official, who did not want to be named, said: “We have shifted 20 dead bodies from the blast scene. Several others were also wounded.” All victims were civilians, the source added.

But Kabul police spokesman, Hashmatullah Stanikzai, said preliminary information showed it was a suicide bombing. “The nature of the blast is not yet cleared, but initial reports indicate it was a suicide attack.”

Giving an eyewitness account, Abdul Samad -- who was also wounded in the incident -- said a Suzuki car area was detonated near the Prof. Burhanuddin Rabbani Education University.

“The explosion was so powerful that it left many people dead or wounded,” he said, adding the car was coming from the Qargha picnic spot to the city.”

As usual, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the bomb attack. Zabihullah Mujahid, the grop's spokesman, said 32 security personnel were killed and wounded in the bombing, which left several vehicles destroyed.